Can anyone on here tell me how the new Traction Control in the 5 series
REALLY works on snowy roads.
I am very close to buying a 540i, but, since I have a couple hills to
climb to get to and from home & work, I have concerns about a rear-wheel
drive car, and am leaning to a Seville or Continental of Audi Quattro.
I’d prefer the BMW – if I can be reassured on the traction – at least in
comparison to average frontwheel drive cars.
My M3 has AST and LSD, but I don’t think any two wheel drive can
come close to 4 wheel drive like the Quattro. Especially, when you are in
soft, slushy snow like we have here in Seattle, during the last few day.
Due to its near perfect weight distribution and LSD, the BMW should
handle slightly better in snow than most rear wheel drive cars. With four
good snow tires, I think the 540i will do fine. BTW, none of the cars that
you mentioned is as fun to drive as a BMW.
Regards,
Albert
coach…@tribeca.ios.com wrote in article <32C87175….@tribeca.ios.com>…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Can anyone on here tell me how the new Traction Control in the 5 series
> REALLY works on snowy roads.
> I am very close to buying a 540i, but, since I have a couple hills to
> climb to get to and from home & work, I have concerns about a rear-wheel
> drive car, and am leaning to a Seville or Continental of Audi Quattro.
> I’d prefer the BMW – if I can be reassured on the traction – at least in
> comparison to average frontwheel drive cars.
Comment by admin — September 30, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
Too bad they don’t make all-wheel-drive models any more (like the 325iX or
the euro 5 series). Since BMWs have a very good front-back weight
distribution (near 50-50), their traction control should perform very good
for a rear wheel drive vehicle…still below the control of an
all-wheel-drive or 4WD vehicle (no matter what the brochures or salesmen
say). Drive one before you buy…
I got to drive a 328i as a loaner car while my 325iX was being prepped. I
decided to test their traction control just for grins. I drove the car on
a paved road and looked for a shoulder that was gravel. Stopped with one
tire on the pavement and the other rear tire on the shoulder then punched
it. The gravel tire gave one little initial lurch and then the car just
accelerated as straight as an arrow. I was impressed…but I’m not selling
my iX any time soon.
Barry Ritchey
Albuquerque, NM
Comment by admin — September 30, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
Traction control is good but not great.
The system makes it more difficult to spin out on a corner for example, but
if you are stuck on ice, you are not going anywhere. You have to turn of
the ASC and spin your tires just like all other rear wheel drives.
If the ASC is engaged and you are stopped on a patch of ice, the car will
basically shut down. I have much experience with this in winter service
parking lots. Still takes 3 guys to push the car off the ice before you can
go anywhere.
–
Brett Anderson
Endurance BMW
Mount Kisco NY
BMW and ASE master technician
BarryWind <barryw…@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970101161000.LAA12…@ladder01.news.aol.com>…
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
> Too bad they don’t make all-wheel-drive models any more (like the 325iX
or
> the euro 5 series). Since BMWs have a very good front-back weight
> distribution (near 50-50), their traction control should perform very
good
> for a rear wheel drive vehicle…still below the control of an
> all-wheel-drive or 4WD vehicle (no matter what the brochures or salesmen
> say). Drive one before you buy…
> I got to drive a 328i as a loaner car while my 325iX was being prepped. I
> decided to test their traction control just for grins. I drove the car on
> a paved road and looked for a shoulder that was gravel. Stopped with one
> tire on the pavement and the other rear tire on the shoulder then punched
> it. The gravel tire gave one little initial lurch and then the car just
> accelerated as straight as an arrow. I was impressed…but I’m not
selling
> my iX any time soon.
> Barry Ritchey
> Albuquerque, NM
Comment by admin — September 30, 2009 @ 3:29 pm